Economy empties chicken houses

SILER CITY, N.C. -- On his commercial chicken farm a few miles outside town, Sam Talley has been spending less time with his pullets and more time in the pasture where he goes to be alone.

"I go up there and sit in my truck with my Bible, and I read and I think," Talley said.

He's thinking that if he doesn't get a break, he'll lose his 69 Chatham County acres, his four chicken houses, the home he shares with his wife and the life savings they invested to start Talley Farms eight years ago.

"I'm nearly 60 years old," Talley said. "I could end up with nothing. Nothing."